Hurdles

I got a great night's sleep, so getting up this morning was pretty easy.  I enjoy Thursdays because the mornings are generally a little lighter, so I can chat a little more with clients instead of just running around like a chicken with my head cut off. 

Workout went well.  I had back, core, and some cardio at the end.  I kept my weights as heavy as I needed, and put a little more emphasis on my upper back.  My mid-back is starting to look like I might deadlift my car.

Workout:
Close grip pull-backs 4 x 10
Wide grip lat pull-down 3 x 10
Bent over BB row 3 x 10
Straight arm pull-downs 3 x 12
Rear flys 3 x 12
Weighted sit-ups on ball 3 x 15
Crunches on ball 3 x 15
leg lowers 3 x 20

My suit came in the mail today!  It is gorgeous and I am very pleased with the lady's work.  I tried it on...fits great...or at least covers enough that I can stand on a public stage and not be arrested.  That's good.  I looked like Casper the flexing-ghost though...dear God, I need a tan.  It was ridiculous.

Ok, need to rant for a sec... because its something that's been on my mind lately and came up with a client this morning.... "The haters"....They will be some of the toughest hurdles to jump over or even knock down on your way to achieving your goals.  Ah yes, they come in all shapes and sizes, but with the same toxic stench...not supportive and belittling, but sometimes carefully disguised with a few patronizing back-handed compliments.  Give me a break.  I firmly believe there are people you keep at a distance...a good distance.  They have no business in your inner circle and "friends" don't act like that...Period.  I get a little fired up about this topic because life's too short to surround yourself with such people or even entertain the idea that its simply "the way they are".  I had to learn this the hard way.   Teach people how to treat you.  They'll either respect you more, or back off because they have the maturity of a 12 year old and can't handle it...its a win/win.  Head up...keep moving...

Alright peeps...Jersey Shore and then I'm out...Niiight....

Sweet and Sour Cat

You would think that after being able to sleep in past 4:30 and not have to rush out to work, that I would wake up refreshed and ready to roll.  Not so much.  Yes, I did sleep in until 6:30, but was rudely woken up by my cat whining for food at 5:00....then 5:30....then 5:45...by 6:30 I was ready to hand him over to the Chinese Buffet down the road.  Coffee was amazing, but 3 cups just didn't seem to do the trick.  I sat down on the couch at 10 and nearly fell asleep sitting straight up....I needed to get going with my workout before I decided that sitting on my rear was a better option....

Friday workouts are hard.  Not necessarily because the exercises are big, compound movements, but simply because my mind and body are tired and ready for some much needed rest.  I had shoulders and core today.  I dominated my shoulder workout...heavier than Monday's, which was good.  Core almost made me puke.  When I squeeze my abs as hard as I can I feel like my pancreas is going to explode out of my naval somehow.  That would be pretty sick...and yes, I would probably post it on youtube.  And then I had cardio....ah yes.  I honestly thought I would not make it through my cardio today.  My legs were DRAGGING.  The only thing that kept me going was the fact that Morven and Brian were on the treadmills beside me running like the cops were after them.  I figured that if they could run like criminals for over an hour, I could handle my 35 minutes of pain.  So I caught up on my latest news and gossip with US magazine.  Apparently Justin Bieber spent $2,000 on flowers for his girlfriend on Valentines Day and everyone thought it was so sweet.  People, he's worth MILLIONS...that's like me giving my husband an m&m....not a box...just one.  Give me a break...

Workout:
Seated shoulder press with back support  4 x 10
Arnold press/ss front DB raises 4 x 10 each
Seated lateral raises 4 x 10
Reverse crunch on bench 3 x 30 seconds
Full sit-up on BOSU 3 x 12
Oblique crunch on decline 3 x 16

I could fall asleep right now, and its only 7:45....I am DONE.  I'm about to lock that feline in the laundry room and get some good sleep tonight.  Tomorrow will be just cardio and some time with family....which is always comical.  I may also do a refeed meal either tonight (if I can stay awake), or tomorrow....my body needs it.  I will probably be bloated, but whats new?!....

Well, folks, its been real....have a great weekend!!...Down to 7 weeks!!!....ahh....

Be about the business

 A good weekend...busy, but good.  The holidays are hectic to begin with, and couple that with dieting, long days, and lack of sleep and you've got yourself an anxiety attack waiting to happen.  I took Saturday off and then walked on an incline yesterday morning for 40 minutes.  I felt good once I was done, and was ready to get on with my day.  Sometimes the weekends are a nice mental break from the intensity of the gym.  Its easy to get consumed while competing, so to relax for a couple of days is a treat.  Speaking of treats, it looks like I'll be able to enjoy Christmas dinner.  I planned my diet accordingly, and I can use that night as kind of a "refeed" of sorts.  Not to say I will go completely overboard, but to be able to eat a little bit of homemade corn pudding and sweet potato casserole will be nice.  I will no doubt have a sugar-hangover as I do every year the day after Christmas.... My pancreas usually hates me that day...

Great workout today.  Shoulders, biceps, and core....stuck with sets of 12 and struggled every set.  My right wrist is still really bothering me, but I refuse to do anything about it unless it swells, bleeds, or just stops working all together.  No crying wolf just yet.  Overall it was an awesome workout and I feel satisfied with my weights and form.  Taking my lateral raises above 90* has been amazing...the burn is enough to make me want my mama. 

Workout:
BB shoulder press 3 x 12
Seated arnold press 3 x 12
Lateral DB raises 3 x 12
Front DB raises 3 x 12
Alternating DB curls 3 x 10 each arm
Cable curls with the lat bar 3 x 12
Alternating hammer curls on incline 2 x failure
Crunches on BOSU 4 x 15
Leg lifts 3 x 12

Extremely tired right now...but I get to eat in about 20 minutes...then its back in gear for the afternoon.  I've never looked so forward to fish and rice as I do right now.  YUMMMM.  Here's to one workout closer to stage-ready...